Home Health First over-the-counter cholesterol test goes on sale in Britain’s supermarkets as Tesco stocks kit

First over-the-counter cholesterol test goes on sale in Britain’s supermarkets as Tesco stocks kit

by Alexander
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Users simply have to use a drop of blood taken from their finger, and the kit, which looks like rapid home Covid tests, gives a result in less than three minutes (File Image)

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The first rapid over-the-counter high cholesterol test is now on sale at Tesco.

Users simply have to use a drop of blood taken from their finger and the kit, which looks like rapid home Covid tests, gives a result in less than three minutes.

Someone in the UK has a heart attack every five minutes and high cholesterol is a major risk factor.

However, high cholesterol usually has no symptoms, meaning a test is the only way to determine if it is a problem.

For this reason, the NHS offers everyone aged 40 to 74 a free health check at their GP’s office, including a cholesterol test, every three years. If elevated levels are found, patients may be offered statins or other medications to reduce levels.

Statins can reduce the risk of a heart attack by up to 50 percent and also reduce the risk of a potentially fatal stroke.

Users simply have to use a drop of blood taken from their finger, and the kit, which looks like rapid home Covid tests, gives a result in less than three minutes (File Image)

Users simply have to use a drop of blood taken from their finger, and the kit, which looks like rapid home Covid tests, gives a result in less than three minutes (File Image)

But only four in ten adults attend check-ups, partly the reason why up to 54 per cent of Britons have undiagnosed high cholesterol, according to research.

Experts have welcomed the new kit, saying it offers a convenient solution for time-poor people who are too busy to go to the GP for a “just in case” test.

Nurse Amanda Sparkes, medical director at private health company Home, which helped advise the test’s developer, Terranova, said: “There are people in their 40s working, caring for children and possibly their elderly parents too.” Taking time for a checkup when you’re not feeling sick is a big ask. That’s why a test you can take while shopping and do at home is a great idea.

“We see a similar reaction to home tests: eight in ten women say they would prefer to test themselves with a home kit.”

The NHS offers everyone aged 40 to 74 a free health check at their GP's office, including a cholesterol test, every three years (File image)

The NHS offers everyone aged 40 to 74 a free health check at their GP's office, including a cholesterol test, every three years (File image)

The NHS offers everyone aged 40 to 74 a free health check at their GP’s office, including a cholesterol test, every three years (File image)

Sparkes added that people became accustomed to home testing during the Covid pandemic, saying: “It’s just a natural continuation of that.”

The £12.99 test classifies results into three medical risk groups: high, borderline and desirable cholesterol. Studies suggest it is 94 percent accurate. Those with elevated results are encouraged to visit their GP for further checks.

One of the first to undergo the test was James Richardson, a graphic designer. The married father-of-two from Peterborough is slim (he is 5ft 11in and has a 32 waist) and eats healthily, but the test showed an elevated cholesterol level.

‘I did it out of curiosity, so I was surprised by the result. My GP confirmed this and I was put on statins and advised to exercise more regularly,” he said. “My parents suffered heart attacks when they were 60, so I hope to avoid the same problems now.”

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